Dr Jerry Schwartz’s Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley has revealed 2015 was one of its best and busiest years yet and 2016 will see several more new and exciting developments for the resort.

It was a hugely successful 2015 for the award-winning resort, which included the launch of the largest regional conference and events centre in northern New South Wales, and saw the property named as winners for five major meetings, conferences and events industry awards.

A key addition to the resort’s offering is a new airline called Blue Sky Airways, owned by Dr Schwartz, which features a 10-seat Piper Chieftain aircraft.

The airline will take flight in early 2016 and the resort said charter flights can be arranged as part of a MICE event or for Sydney-siders looking for a quick weekend getaway.

Blue Sky Airways

The property is also re-developing the villa-style accommodation, with the existing 98 two bedroom villas being converted into 196 single villa room types, increasing the Resort’s inventory from 316 rooms and villas to 414.

Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley General Manager, Robert Coates, said he was looking forward to the new villas becoming available in the market in 2016,

“The new accommodation style offers all the existing benefits of the spacious and well-appointed villas, whilst also giving us the flexibility to join or separate the villas depending on the type of customer wanting to book,” he said.

“As a general rule, our valued MICE clients prefer the privacy of single occupancy rooms so with the support of our owner, we are making that happen.”

Dr Jerry Schwartz

In addition to the villa re-development, Coates said the resort has signalled its intent to stay at the forefront of guest interfacing technology with the imminent launch of its own customised mobile application.

Coates said following the latest technological trends, the application will allow guests to check-in to the resort on their mobile and easily access resort and local area information from their personal devices.

The property is also launching a dedicated ‘Your Resort, Your Way’ program, according to Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley’s Director of Sales and Marketing, Lisa Rangitutia.

She said large groups would now be able to take over the entire Resort with exclusive access to all of its facilities including the championship 18-hole golf course, the UBIKA Day Spa, three unique dining options, a working brewery and a host of other extensive leisure facilities.

“The branding opportunities are endless for group organisers, and as the Resort is closed to normal business, the group’s exclusivity is guaranteed,” she said.

Rangitutia said this year would also see another addition to the Harvest Hunter Signature Event series.

Due to be launched mid-year, the Harvest Hunter – Summer Edition will follow in the footsteps of the original and winter versions, she said.

“The signature event gives time-poor groups the chance to experience the best of the Hunter Valley cellar doors and local producers within the convenience of the Resort grounds, and to date we’ve had lots of wonderful feedback on the concept and execution of the event,” Rangitutia said.

“With strong demand coming through from our MICE clients, some great outdoor concert announcements, more school holiday developments and strong market conditions, 2016 is set to become another record breaker for Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley.”